Name ___________________ Date _____ Class ____ _

Using Geography Skills

Chart, Graph, and Map Skills Activity

Using Latitude and Longitude Learning the Skill

To find an exact location on a map, geographers use a set of imaginary lines. Latitude lines, also called parallels, circle the Earth's surface like a stack of rings. The starting latitude line, which is 0° latitude, is the Equator. Lines of latitude are labeled N or 5 to show whether they are north or south of the Equator.

Longitude lines, also called meridians, run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole. The starting point, which is 0° longitude, is called the Prime Meridian. It runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. Longitude lines are labeled E or W to show whether they are east or west of the Prime Meridian. The grid system formed by crossing lines of latitude and longitude makes it possible to find the absolute location of a place.

To find a location using latitude and longitude, follow these steps: • Choose a place on a map. • Identify the nearest line of latitude, or parallel. Note the location

north or south of the Equator. • Identify the nearest line of longitude, or meridian. Note the loca­

tion east or west of the Prime Meridian.

(/ Practicing the Skill Directions: Use Major Latitude and Longitude Lines the map on the right to answer the questions on the next page.

105"E 120"E m 'E 15O"E 1G5"E 180' 1G5'W 150'W m 'W 120'W 105'W 90'W 75'W GO'W 45 'W 30'W 15'W 0' 15"E 30'E 45 'E 6O'E 75 'E

J~ LL Lt ~ ~~~-+-~.f-""'-+--t---t::::rr+---1 ·~1s- -~J ___ ~''''Ar

GO'N ~

e - ..

45'N

75'S

.. ~ ;/" ." ,-'" ~

o 1,000 kilometers

-+--+--+-t---+----t----+---t--+-J.---+-t--=-+----t----+--+---+---+~O~ mil~S Miller Projection -,- Cr~ --~ -'"'-'

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Name _____________________ Date _____ Class ____ _

Chart, Graph, and Map Skills Activity continued

1. Locating Which continents are crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn?

2. Locating On which continent do the Tropic of Cancer and Prime Meridian intersect?

3. Illustrating In which ocean does the Prime Meridian cross the Equator? Mark the location on the map.

Applying the Skill Directions: Use the world map below to answer the questions that follow.

1. Identifying Which grid line runs east and west across the southern border of Africa?

2. Identifying Which grid line runs north and south through the center of South America?

3. Locating Which ocean lies solely above 60 0 N latitude?

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